Scarred Seductress

Blood and Consequences

Selene reached out for the doorknob, her lips curving slightly under her teeth as reluctance washed through her.

“Go on…” the man behind her urged.

She let out a deep breath and pushed the door open, stepping into the empty, quiet, familiar office.

“And who do we finally have in our midst tonight… Selene Voss.” A voice blared across the place, hollow chuckles following as footsteps echoed too.

Selene lowered her gaze, her fingers clutching her purse a little tighter.

“Sir…” Selene mouthed inaudibly as a figure entered the office from the balcony, his eyes fixed on her as he continued to chuckle, shaking his head.

“I had plans to come see you…”

“Shut up.”

Selene nodded quickly, swallowing back her words.

“You’ve been a little reckless lately, Selene… I’ve heard a few reports of how you’ve been going out of line, doing things without my permission…”

Selene looked up quickly.

“I can explain—”

“That you called for an emergency operation at your son’s school, which could have gotten our men busted, all out of impulse…”

Selene tucked her face away, biting down on her lower lip in an attempt to stop herself from speaking further. She knew him too well—he hated to be interrupted.

“Ricardo…”

Selene’s gaze returned to him quickly, her pulse spiking with anxiety.

“You could have come to me, Selene… but you didn’t. You chose to deal with it your own way…”

“I apologise…”

He tossed something onto the table before him, drawing Selene’s eyes to it. Her eyes widened. The exact contraceptive she had ordered Ava to get her.

“How far have you gone with Damien?” he asked.

Selene swallowed hard—silent.

“I asked a f*****g question….” he barked.

She still said nothing, her mind running quickly to Matteo, fear shooting down her spine.

“I had my men follow your girl around and learned you had the need for those…”

“It’s nothing to worry about, I promise… I’m a woman, of course—”

“I’m not a fool, Selene,” he snapped.

Selene pressed a slow nod, drew in a deep breath to steady her nerves, and met his gaze.

“Well, you’re right… Damien and I have crossed every line.” She lied.

He shook his head, chuckled dryly, and strutted to the chair at the centre of the office, settling into it quietly.

“But you have nothing to worry about—”

“We don’t know that, Selene… but we will soon, after you get tested.”

Selene’s eyes widened, her lips parting to protest, but nothing dared to come out.

“I’ve seen women like you, Selene… passionate about revenge, talented, scheming—but as soon as a child enters the picture, they forget their purpose…”

Selene chuckled bitterly, tucking her face away, fury simmering beneath the surface.

“So I’ll have someone take you to the hospital, Selene… and you better pray there’s nothing growing inside of you or—”

“You have nothing to worry about….” she cut in, her voice clear and confident.

“And I’ll prove it…” she added.

He scoffed and dismissed her with a wave of his hand. Selene pressed a small smile across her lips and turned to walk away when he spoke, halting her in her tracks.

“Don’t forget how you begged for me to give you a chance, Selene…”

She trailed her eyes back to him over her shoulder.

“And don’t forget our deal. Remember—if you don’t get me his head… I’m having yours.”

Selene swallowed hard, forced a nod, and wobbled out of the office, breathless.

Selene’s eyes drifted toward the doctor’s office as the door creaked open. She pushed herself to her feet, but before she could step forward, the guard assigned to her moved first, seizing the test result from the doctor’s hand. He tore it open and scanned the document.

Cold sweat broke out across Selene’s forehead as she watched his face remain indifferent.

“She’s not pregnant….” the doctor said, sending every nerve in Selene’s body sparking to life.

She snatched the paper from him, scanned it, and exhaled a deep breath, muttering a prayer under her breath.

“Count yourself lucky…” the guard scoffed, brushing past Selene as he walked away.

“Thank you, doctor…” Selene mouthed, her face lighting up.

“You’re welcome, ma’am…”

“I don’t know if you understand me, doctor, but my boss would love to have her daughter’s birthday fall on one of her fertile days….” a familiar voice cut in.

Selene’s eyes snapped in that direction, her brow arching as her gaze settled on Marina’s assistant, trailing desperately behind a female doctor. They brushed past Selene and didn’t even notice her.

“I’m sorry, but I told you already… we’ve tracked her cycle and she won’t be—”

“You have to make it happen… somehow, anyhow. That day is important to her, and she won’t be taking any excuses. She must get pregnant on that day…”

“But she could have a talk with her husband and—”

“Your opinion is not needed,” she snapped, cutting the doctor off before glancing around, embarrassed.

Selene tucked her face away.

“Make it happen,” she added.

The doctor said nothing, and they both disappeared into her office.

Selene’s lips curved into a slow smile as her mind wandered, desperate to piece everything together. Marina was desperate to have a child on her daughter’s birthday. It could only mean one thing—she had something big planned, and the birthday was only a cover.

She was going to take advantage of the occasion to carry out whatever scheme she had in mind.

Selene scoffed softly, a small sound tearing from her lips as she shook her head. How fast things could change. Just when she thought she’d have to fabricate something to hold over Marina’s head, one had fallen straight into her lap.

“I’ll take my leave now, ma’am…” the doctor mouthed, turning to go when a nurse came scurrying toward them, breathless and pale-faced, a file clutched in her hand.

The doctor raised a brow.

“I’m sorry, doctor, but I think we got her results mixed up…”

Selene’s heart sank.

The doctor’s eyes widened as he snatched the file from her hand, scanning it. Terror spread across his face.

Selene grabbed the paper from him, catching only a glimpse of the actual result before it slipped from her trembling fingers to the floor.

Her lungs emptied completely.

She was pregnant.